Random Thoughts on Journeys, Judaism, and the Movies

Tag Archives: The Iron Giant

It occurred to me that this is the 15th year I have been actively keeping a Top 10 movies list. So I did a little number crunching.

Of movies released from 1999-2013, I have seen 1029 (or 68.9 movies a year). Granted I see movies years after they are released and I also see movies released before 1999, so this is not an actual record of how many movies I see a year. But apparently I see quite a lot.

Of the movies I have seen, 144 of them were “not worth seeing” or 14%. Considering I intentionally skip most movies with terrible reviews, this means 86% of the time I find the movie redeeming.

My picks for the best film of the year stand up as an eclectic collection. Only 1 of the films is not well known (50/50). 3 won the best picture Oscar. Another 7 were nominated (and Gravity might win). 5 were not nominated for best picture.

I can’t say which is the best. I haven’t watched 6 of the 15 a second time. I have seen 6 of them multiple times. One director repeats on the 15 – Ang Lee for two wildly different genres. I have watched other films (ex. Mean Girls) more than any of these films, but that doesn’t make it the “best,” just the most enjoyable.

If you want to just explore faith, there is no shortage of amazing films. Check out the incredible Arts & Faith Top 100 list. A film like 1928’s silent La Passion de Jeanne d’Arc (#1) or the very underrated animated film The Iron Giant (#99) powerfully speak to all kinds of faith.

When I think of films about faith, I think of Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory, a documentary about the West Memphis Three and their 18 year journey towards freedom from their false incarceration (according to the film). While I never saw the earlier two films, this one stands on its own and is a fascinating watch of how to stay strong over decades of injustice.

But when you think movies and faith over the decades, you can’t leave out Rocky Balboa.